The last family vacation-suggestions?
Sep 25th, 2003, 11:39 PM
#21
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Janese, I take your point, but I was comparing Uluru with southwestern United States. The summer temperatures in Arizona are very similar to Uluru - typically well above 100F, as most Americans know, so the comparison should be meaningful to them.
You seem to be saying don't go to one of the top tourist destinations in Australia on your last family vacation. I am saying yes, it will be very hot during the day, but you can still do things like see the night star show, or go to the rock to see the sunrise when it is still fairly cool.
I was also comparing the GBR area with Florida, where the summers are hot, humid, and rainy, not to mention the odd hurricane. Despite all that, it is prime tourist season.
As far as accommodation always being available, yes that is true. I am a single traveler, and never book a room in advance, but have found that many Americans, especially if they have a family in tow, want the security of advance reservations.
You seem to be saying don't go to one of the top tourist destinations in Australia on your last family vacation. I am saying yes, it will be very hot during the day, but you can still do things like see the night star show, or go to the rock to see the sunrise when it is still fairly cool.
I was also comparing the GBR area with Florida, where the summers are hot, humid, and rainy, not to mention the odd hurricane. Despite all that, it is prime tourist season.
As far as accommodation always being available, yes that is true. I am a single traveler, and never book a room in advance, but have found that many Americans, especially if they have a family in tow, want the security of advance reservations.
Sep 26th, 2003, 02:50 AM
#22
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Above is an interesting conversation between Heimdall, a one time vistor to Uluru, and Janese, a native Australian, most of whom have NEVER been to Uluru even once.
As for Heimdall's comparison of Uluru with Arizona, here are the stats from weatherbase.com (Alice Springs is the nearest town I could find to Uluru).
ALICE SPRINGS (Jan):
Average High Temp: 97F
Average Low Temp: 70F
Highest Recorded Temp: 113F
Av Nr Days Above 90F: 26
PHOENIX, AZ (Jul):
Average High Temp: 105F
Average Low Temp: 80F
Highest Recorded Temp: 121F
Av Nr Days Above 90F: 31
Looks like Heimdall's comparison was pretty close. How many times have you been to Uluru, Janese?
As for Heimdall's comparison of Uluru with Arizona, here are the stats from weatherbase.com (Alice Springs is the nearest town I could find to Uluru).
ALICE SPRINGS (Jan):
Average High Temp: 97F
Average Low Temp: 70F
Highest Recorded Temp: 113F
Av Nr Days Above 90F: 26
PHOENIX, AZ (Jul):
Average High Temp: 105F
Average Low Temp: 80F
Highest Recorded Temp: 121F
Av Nr Days Above 90F: 31
Looks like Heimdall's comparison was pretty close. How many times have you been to Uluru, Janese?
Sep 26th, 2003, 02:55 AM
#23
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Dutyfree - do NOT let your husband talk you out of a trip down here! It really is an amazing country in millions of ways. A few thoughts:
- Sydney is January is perfect. Warm, sunny, and totally lively. The Sydney Festival goes on for the entire month and it is a series of every kind of cultural event you can imagine including art shows, movies in the park, theater, and lectures. There is also a Salsa festival in Darling Harbour over a week in about the third week of the month - dancing troups, music, loads of people. City-wide everyone is outdoors enjoying the spectacular weather, water and bush. The kids will have absoutely no problems keeping themselves entertained - swimming, surfing, fun bars, great walks. The food is gorgeous, creative and delicious. If you are staying in Sydney for any length of time, seriously consider a serviced apartment - they are basically large suites with full kitchens and laundry and cost about the same as other hotel rooms. Don't miss the Bridgeclimb, the Coogee to Bondi walk, the Botanical Gardens, the ferry to Manley, a walk around Watson's Bay and the Gap, a kayak trip in the middle harbour, and Paddington Markets. Go hiking in the Blue Mountains and visit the vineyards in Hunter Valley. If you hadn't already figured it out, I'm a convert - I originally came here from the US to do my masters and never left! Sydney is absoutely not like any other city in the world
As for Queensland, you might consider a bareboat or captained charter through the Whitsundays - it's a bit cooler and the diving and snorkeling are great. You can island hop as you like and you are still on the reef. If you don't want your own sailboat, Captain Cook runs at least one very low key, small ship cruises in the area that are great - I did one with my family about three years ago and everyone loved it. There is no doubting that it is "tropical" in January but if you can take the heat, do the Daintree for sure - the 18 yo will love it (as will you all) since it is the combination of the rainforest, the mangroves and reef that feed one another and create an ecosystem that is unique in the world.
Melbourne is four seasons in a day that time of year - can be hot during the day and quite cool at night with a rainstorm inbetween but it's got lots of life and tons to do. Weather really shouldn't be too much of a problem. Adelade has wonderful, inexpensive food and wine and is a lovely area with lots to keep everyone entertained. The Rock will be hot, hot, hot - you might give it a miss in January.
I could go on but I won't Good luck and book those tickets ASAP - it is extremely difficult to get mileage tickets in Dec, Jan and Feb.
- Sydney is January is perfect. Warm, sunny, and totally lively. The Sydney Festival goes on for the entire month and it is a series of every kind of cultural event you can imagine including art shows, movies in the park, theater, and lectures. There is also a Salsa festival in Darling Harbour over a week in about the third week of the month - dancing troups, music, loads of people. City-wide everyone is outdoors enjoying the spectacular weather, water and bush. The kids will have absoutely no problems keeping themselves entertained - swimming, surfing, fun bars, great walks. The food is gorgeous, creative and delicious. If you are staying in Sydney for any length of time, seriously consider a serviced apartment - they are basically large suites with full kitchens and laundry and cost about the same as other hotel rooms. Don't miss the Bridgeclimb, the Coogee to Bondi walk, the Botanical Gardens, the ferry to Manley, a walk around Watson's Bay and the Gap, a kayak trip in the middle harbour, and Paddington Markets. Go hiking in the Blue Mountains and visit the vineyards in Hunter Valley. If you hadn't already figured it out, I'm a convert - I originally came here from the US to do my masters and never left! Sydney is absoutely not like any other city in the world
As for Queensland, you might consider a bareboat or captained charter through the Whitsundays - it's a bit cooler and the diving and snorkeling are great. You can island hop as you like and you are still on the reef. If you don't want your own sailboat, Captain Cook runs at least one very low key, small ship cruises in the area that are great - I did one with my family about three years ago and everyone loved it. There is no doubting that it is "tropical" in January but if you can take the heat, do the Daintree for sure - the 18 yo will love it (as will you all) since it is the combination of the rainforest, the mangroves and reef that feed one another and create an ecosystem that is unique in the world.
Melbourne is four seasons in a day that time of year - can be hot during the day and quite cool at night with a rainstorm inbetween but it's got lots of life and tons to do. Weather really shouldn't be too much of a problem. Adelade has wonderful, inexpensive food and wine and is a lovely area with lots to keep everyone entertained. The Rock will be hot, hot, hot - you might give it a miss in January.
I could go on but I won't
Good luck and book those tickets ASAP - it is extremely difficult to get mileage tickets in Dec, Jan and Feb.
Sep 26th, 2003, 12:59 PM
#24
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To Thrym, I lived in the Northern Territory for one year, so its not a matter of how many times have I been to Ayers Rock mate. I also have spend many, many summers in the outback of Queensland. I don't know if you know this saying but here goes: There are lies, lies and statistics and when it comes to the weather this is particularly true. I also have been in Arizona in a blizard with roads cut only one hour north of Phoenix and also when it was 119deg F. I had a cousin who lived there for years. I have absolutely no vested interest in whether someone does or does not go to a particular area in Australia all I am pointing out is that if someone is coming to Australia there are so many wonderful places that going to one which will be particularly uncomfortable, to say the least, when they could spend their time in an area which would be of interest and wonderful perhaps may be a better option.
This is not an attack on your fellow American, just a suggestion for a better holiday seeing that I have lived in Australia for quite a few years now and perhaps know it a tad better than a once only visitor.
Also in case you are wondering - I have been all over Australia and lived in all but one State. I have also travelled to 34 States in the USA and lived there for 2 years. Unlike some people of the world, Australians are not Geographically challanged in general with something like 80% holding passports compared to about 9% of Americans. Please don't treat us like idiots. If you don't like our answers then perhaps you should preface your questions with " only Americans please answer"
This is not an attack on your fellow American, just a suggestion for a better holiday seeing that I have lived in Australia for quite a few years now and perhaps know it a tad better than a once only visitor.
Also in case you are wondering - I have been all over Australia and lived in all but one State. I have also travelled to 34 States in the USA and lived there for 2 years. Unlike some people of the world, Australians are not Geographically challanged in general with something like 80% holding passports compared to about 9% of Americans. Please don't treat us like idiots. If you don't like our answers then perhaps you should preface your questions with " only Americans please answer"
Sep 28th, 2003, 04:04 AM
#25
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Janese, sorry you were so upset by my reply, but no need to attack Americans as geographically challenged. No, I don't think questions should be prefaced with "only Americans please answer." Indeed, inputs from locals like yourself are valuable, but so are inputs from tourists - after all, this is a traveler's forum.
As for your quote, it should be: "lies, damn lies, and statistics." There is another one too: "figures don't lie, but liars do figure." I have no doubt your story about the snowstorm near Phoenix is true, after all Arizona is a land of extremes, but we are talking about summer temperatures here, not winter.
The Southwest, despite its extreme summer temperatures, is the fastest growing part of the US. Millions of Americans live in a climate not unlike that of Alice Springs. We aren't as soft as you seem to think.
As for your quote, it should be: "lies, damn lies, and statistics." There is another one too: "figures don't lie, but liars do figure." I have no doubt your story about the snowstorm near Phoenix is true, after all Arizona is a land of extremes, but we are talking about summer temperatures here, not winter.
The Southwest, despite its extreme summer temperatures, is the fastest growing part of the US. Millions of Americans live in a climate not unlike that of Alice Springs. We aren't as soft as you seem to think.
